Complete Guide — Arabic Text, Word-by-Word Meaning, Translations in 4 Languages, Authentic Scholarly Ruling, Benefits & When to Recite
Durood-e-Tunajjina (درود تنجینا) — also written as Durood Tunajjina or Salawat al-Tunajjina — is one of the most widely recited forms of Salawat (blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) in the Muslim world, particularly popular across Southeast Asia, East Africa, West Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. The word tunajjina (تُنَجِّيْنَا) comes from the Arabic root ن-ج-ي (NJY) meaning "to save" or "to deliver," giving this Durood its English name: The Salvation Durood.
Unlike Durood-e-Ibrahim, which was directly taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Durood-e-Tunajjina is a Salawat that has been passed down through Islamic scholarly traditions with a debated chain of narration. Its text is a beautiful supplication asking Allah to send blessings upon the Prophet that will bring the reciter salvation, relief, and elevation — but its hadith status requires honest discussion.
This guide gives you the complete picture: the full Arabic text, meaning, translations, the honest scholarly debate around its authenticity, what benefits can be hoped for, and exactly when and how it is appropriate to recite it — all rooted in traditional Islamic scholarship.
Complete Arabic text with full diacritical marks (harakat) for correct pronunciation
Each phrase of Durood-e-Tunajjina is a carefully constructed supplication. Understanding the precise meaning of every word reveals the depth and beauty of this Salawat, and transforms recitation from mere repetition into heartfelt prayer.
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | Meaning | Deeper Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ | Allāhumma ṣalli | O Allah, send blessings | The address to Allah directly, requesting divine ṣalāh — which when from Allah means praise, honour and exaltation of the Prophet in the highest assembly of angels |
| عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ | ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin | Upon our master Muhammad | Sayyidinā means "our master" — an honourific that acknowledges the Prophet's supreme status. This addition is debated; Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i scholars generally permit it. |
| صَلَاةً تُنَجِّيْنَا بِهَا | ṣalātan tunajjīnā bihā | A blessing through which You will save us | The word tunajjīnā (تُنَجِّيْنَا) — the defining phrase of this Durood — asks that the blessings sent upon the Prophet become a means of salvation for the reciter |
| مِنْ جَمِيْعِ الْأَهْوَالِ وَالْآفَاتِ | min jamīʿil-ahwāli wal-āfāt | From all fears and calamities | Ahwāl = terrors and horrifying situations (including those of the Day of Judgement). Āfāt = afflictions, disasters, and diseases in this world and the next |
| وَتَقْضِيْ لَنَا جَمِيْعَ الْحَاجَاتِ | wa taqḍī lanā jamīʿal-ḥājāt | And fulfil all our needs | Ḥājāt = needs — worldly and spiritual. The phrase asks Allah (not the Prophet) to fulfil these needs through the medium of the blessings upon the Prophet |
| وَتُطَهِّرُنَا مِنْ جَمِيْعِ السَّيِّئَاتِ | wa tuṭahhirunā min jamīʿis-sayyiʾāt | And purify us from all sins | Tuṭahhirunā = purify us (from Allah). Sayyiʾāt = evil deeds and sins. This asks Allah to use the blessings as a means of spiritual purification |
| وَتَرْفَعُنَا عِنْدَكَ أَعْلَى الدَّرَجَاتِ | wa tarfaʿunā ʿindaka aʿlad-darajāt | And raise us to the highest degrees with You | Darajāt = degrees/ranks in Allah's presence. This echoes the authentic hadith in Sahih Muslim where each recitation of Salawat raises the reciter 10 degrees |
| وَتُبَلِّغُنَا أَقْصَى الْغَايَاتِ | wa tuballighu nā aqṣal-ghāyāt | And lead us to the farthest goals | Ghāyāt = ultimate aims and destinations. Asking Allah to use these blessings to help the reciter reach the highest possible spiritual destinations |
| مِنْ جَمِيْعِ الْخَيْرَاتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ وَبَعْدَ الْمَمَاتِ | min jamīʿil-khayrāti fil-ḥayāti wa baʿdal-mamāt | Of all goodness in life and after death | The supplication beautifully encompasses both worlds — khayrāt (goodness) in the dunya and in the ākhirah. It is a complete, comprehensive du'a spanning this life and the next |
Important Theological Note: In Durood-e-Tunajjina, it is Allah who saves, fulfils, purifies and raises — not the Prophet independently. The blessings upon the Prophet are the means (wasīlah) through which Allah acts. This is theologically correct and distinguishes it from more problematic Durood formulas like Durood Nariya.
"O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad — blessings through which You will save us from all fears and calamities, fulfill all our needs, purify us from all sins, raise us to the highest degrees with You, and lead us to the farthest limits of all goodness in this life and after death."
"ऐ अल्लाह! हमारे आक़ा हज़रत मुहम्मद पर ऐसा दरूद भेज जिसके ज़रिये तू हमें हर डर और मुसीबत से बचाए, हमारी हर ज़रूरत पूरी करे, हमें हर गुनाह से पाक करे, तेरे पास हमारे दर्जे बुलंद करे, और हमें दुनिया और आखिरत में हर भलाई के आखिरी मुकाम तक पहुँचाए।"
"হে আল্লাহ! আমাদের সরদার হযরত মুহাম্মাদের উপর এমন দরূদ পাঠাও যার মাধ্যমে তুমি আমাদের সকল ভয় ও বিপদ থেকে রক্ষা করবে, আমাদের সকল প্রয়োজন পূরণ করবে, আমাদের সকল পাপ থেকে পবিত্র করবে, তোমার কাছে আমাদের সর্বোচ্চ মর্যাদায় উন্নীত করবে এবং দুনিয়া ও আখেরাতে সকল কল্যাণের চূড়ান্ত লক্ষ্যে পৌঁছে দেবে।"
"اے اللہ! ہمارے سردار حضرت محمد پر ایسا درود بھیج جس کے ذریعے تو ہمیں ہر خوف اور آفت سے نجات دے، ہماری ہر ضرورت پوری کرے، ہمیں ہر گناہ سے پاک کرے، ہمیں اپنے ہاں بلند ترین درجات تک پہنچائے، اور دنیا و آخرت میں ہر خیر کی انتہائی منزل تک پہنچائے۔"
One of the most important questions Muslims ask about Durood-e-Tunajjina is: Is it authentic? Answering this honestly requires understanding how Islamic hadith authentication works and what scholars have found when examining its chain (isnād).
The Durood is often attributed to a narration from the companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b (رضي الله عنه), with some sources citing a hadith in which he asked the Prophet about dedicating all his du'a time to Salawat, and the Prophet replied positively. While that specific exchange is found in authenticated sources, the specific wording of Durood-e-Tunajjina as we know it today is not traceable to the Prophet through a sound chain.
In Islamic hadith science, every narration requires a verifiable chain of transmitters going back to the Prophet. For Durood-e-Tunajjina, scholars examining the chain have found narrators whose reliability is questioned — making the specific attribution to the Prophet as something he taught or approved uncertain.
What This Means Practically: You should not present Durood-e-Tunajjina as a specific teaching of the Prophet (PBUH) with verified rewards, because the chain does not confirm this. However, since the text is a sound supplication with no theological problems, most scholars permit reciting it as a personal du'a (supplication) — just as one may compose any beautiful prayer to Allah.
Scholarly opinion on Durood-e-Tunajjina is genuinely divided — which is why honest Muslims need the full picture rather than just one perspective. Here is what major scholars across different traditions have said:
Summary of Scholarly Positions: Scholars from the Sufi and traditional South/Southeast Asian tradition generally permit and recommend Durood-e-Tunajjina. Hadith specialists and scholars emphasising strict adherence to authenticated narrations permit it only as a general du'a while caution against claiming it as an established Sunnah. All agree it is theologically sound in its text. None call it forbidden (harām).
The benefits of Durood-e-Tunajjina come from two sources: (1) the content of the supplication itself — which explicitly asks Allah for six magnificent blessings — and (2) the general reward for any Salawat upon the Prophet, which is verified in Sahih Muslim regardless of which Durood formula is used.
The Durood explicitly asks Allah to send blessings that will save the reciter from all ahwāl (terrors and horrifying situations) — including fears of this world and the Day of Judgement.
The supplication asks Allah to fulfil all ḥājāt (needs) — worldly necessities, spiritual aspirations, and every requirement of daily life — through the blessing of the Prophet.
It asks for complete spiritual purification — taṭhīr — from all sayyiʾāt (evil deeds and sins), seeking to emerge through the Salawat in a state of spiritual cleanliness.
Asks Allah to raise the reciter to the highest possible darajāt (degrees/ranks) in His presence — connecting to the authenticated hadith that each Salawat raises one 10 degrees.
The beautiful closing asks for the "farthest limits of all goodness" — both in this life (dunya) and the next (ākhirah) — making it a comprehensive supplication for both worlds.
Every Salawat upon the Prophet — including this one — carries the authentic 10× reward (Sahih Muslim): 10 blessings from Allah, 10 sins erased, 10 degrees elevated per recitation.
Particularly appropriate when facing hardship, since the Durood explicitly asks for deliverance from all fears and calamities — matching the moment of need to the meaning of the prayer.
Can be incorporated into your personal daily wird (regular remembrance practice) alongside or after Durood-e-Ibrahim — the gold standard for daily Salawat.
Many scholars recommend longer Salawat formulas during the peaceful night hours after voluntary prayer, when the heart is most receptive and focused.
Increase all forms of Salawat on Fridays — the Prophet said blessings are especially presented to him on this day. This includes permissible compositions like Durood-e-Tunajjina.
Used in many traditional Islamic learning circles (ḥalaqāt) at the beginning and end of knowledge-seeking sessions, seeking Allah's blessings on the day's learning.
Can be recited at any time outside of Salah as a personal supplication. Not recommended inside Salah — use Durood-e-Ibrahim for the Tashahhud.
Do NOT recite in Salah (formal prayer): Durood-e-Tunajjina should not be recited in the Tashahhud of your daily prayers. For formal Salah, only Durood-e-Ibrahim — the formula directly taught by the Prophet — is recommended by scholars across all four madhabs.
Before reciting, make the sincere intention to send blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as an act of love and obedience to Allah — and to make it a personal du'a for your needs. The sincerity of intention is what gives any act of worship its spiritual value.
While Salawat can technically be recited without wudu, being in a state of ritual purity shows respect for the act of remembering the Prophet and is recommended by scholars for greater benefit and focus.
Many scholars recommend beginning any Salawat session with Durood-e-Ibrahim first — the authenticated prophetic formula — before moving to other Salawat compositions. This ensures you start on the firmest scholarly ground.
As you recite each phrase of Durood-e-Tunajjina, reflect on its meaning. When you say "tunajjīnā bihā min jamīʿil-ahwāl," consciously feel yourself asking Allah for that salvation. The presence of heart transforms recitation into genuine prayer.
There is no specific authentic number prescribed. Common recommendations from traditional scholars include: 11 times after Fajr, 41 times for a specific need, or 100 times as a regular daily practice. Choose a number you can maintain consistently — consistency is valued over quantity in Islamic practice.
Following your recitation, make your personal supplications to Allah. The principle that du'as preceded by Salawat are more likely to be accepted applies here — your Durood-e-Tunajjina recitation has prepared the ground for your personal requests.
The Right Approach: These two Durood are complementary, not competing. Durood-e-Ibrahim is your foundation — use it in prayer and as your primary daily Salawat. Durood-e-Tunajjina can serve as an additional personal du'a, especially in times of need, as long as you understand its scholarly status. Never replace Durood-e-Ibrahim with Durood-e-Tunajjina in Salah.
For the complete comparison of Durood-e-Ibrahim, Durood-e-Tunajjina, and all other major Salawat formulas, read our comprehensive guide: Durood-e-Ibrahim vs Other Durood — What's the Difference?
Recite it as a personal supplication (du'a), include it in your voluntary dhikr, use it in times of hardship, incorporate it into your Sufi wird if your sheikh recommends it, and share it as a beautiful Islamic prayer.
Recite it in formal Salah (use Durood-e-Ibrahim), claim it was specifically taught by the Prophet with verified rewards, or attribute exaggerated numerical rewards that no authenticated hadith supports.
Make Durood-e-Ibrahim your primary daily Salawat. Add Durood-e-Tunajjina as a supplementary personal du'a — especially in times of difficulty. This gives you both prophetic authenticity and the beautiful supplication of Tunajjina.
The specific chain of narration is classified as weak (da'if) by most hadith scholars. It is not found in Sahih al-Bukhari or Sahih Muslim. However, its text is theologically sound and most scholars permit its recitation as a general du'a.
No. For the Tashahhud in formal prayer, use Durood-e-Ibrahim only — it is the only Durood directly sanctioned by the Prophet (PBUH) for this purpose. Durood-e-Tunajjina is suitable for voluntary dhikr and personal du'a outside of formal prayer.
There is no authentic hadith specifying a number. Common practice in traditional circles: 11 times after Fajr, 41 times for a specific need, or 100 times as a daily wird. Choose a consistent number based on your capacity — consistency is key in Islamic practice.
"Durood Sharif" is a general term (especially used in South Asia) referring to any Salawat upon the Prophet — most commonly Durood-e-Ibrahim. Durood-e-Tunajjina is a specific, longer formula with its own distinct wording and meaning. They are two different things.
There is no authenticated hadith guaranteeing this. However, the general principle that du'a accompanied by Salawat is accepted, combined with the sincere supplication of the Durood's own meaning, makes it a beautiful prayer in times of need. Trust in Allah — He responds to sincere du'a.
Yes, absolutely. They serve different functions. Durood-e-Ibrahim is your primary Salawat — use it in prayer and as your default daily Salawat. Durood-e-Tunajjina can supplement it as an additional personal supplication, particularly when you want to specifically ask Allah for deliverance from difficulties.
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